Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

ALP offers the healthier option

By Nicola Roxon - posted Wednesday, 29 August 2007


Last week, Kevin Rudd and I announced that a Rudd Labor government would undertake one of the most significant reforms of Australia's health system since Federation.

This announcement promises something that the federal Government has failed to do for the past 11 years: take national leadership in health.

Federal Labor will establish a $2 billion national health reform plan to improve health services. We also announced that if - and only if - state and territory governments had not begun implementing an agreed national plan by mid-2009, a federal Labor government would seek public support to take financial control of Australia's 750 public hospitals. A few days later we followed that up by announcing a $220 million investment in new primary care infrastructure called GP super clinics. These are significant commitments to get our health system back on track and equip it for the demands of the future.

Advertisement

These commitments follow federal Health Minister Tony Abbott's decision last month to defer negotiations with the states on hospital funding. His reasons: "The important task at the present time is to get re-elected and that is where my energies are focused."

Labor is taking leadership and is focused on achieving better health outcomes for all Australians. We will work with the states and territories to reduce unnecessary hospital admissions, non-urgent accident and emergency presentations and waiting times for elective surgery, as well as provide more appropriate non-acute care for older Australians.

One of the ways we aim to do this is by investing in more primary care services in local communities, to keep people in good health and take pressure off public hospitals.

Treasurer Peter Costello's comments about changes to the GST, meanwhile, are a desperate ploy. Federal Labor's health reform plan will not, under any circumstances, require any increase in the GST rate.

The interesting thing is that according to an article published on this page yesterday, only the Howard Government has seriously discussed a GST hike. The Treasurer always wanted the GST to be applied to basic foods, so this shouldn't come as a surprise.

Labor has $2 billion on the table to implement our reforms. Additionally, one of the aims of our reform agenda is to unlock efficiencies and reduce duplication and overlap. Efficiencies generated will be reinvested in enhancing health services for the Australian people.

Advertisement

While we're at it, let's address a few of the other sensational claims flying around.

First, it is important to recognise that Labor would seek to assume financial responsibility for public hospitals only if states have not begun implementing the national health reform plan. Our clear preference is to work co-operatively with the states to achieve the change everyone agrees is needed in our health system. If that occurs, there will be no need for a takeover. Even then, we have said we would seek a mandate from the Australian people before proceeding.

Second, if there are changes in the responsibilities of the commonwealth and state and territory governments in relation to hospitals, it is only common sense that funding arrangements be adjusted accordingly. If failing to implement the plan led to a huge state windfall, that would make no sense at all. That would be a clear case of perverse incentives. Any adjustment in funding would only reflect the value of what health services they would no longer have to provide, so in net terms they would be no worse off.

  1. Pages:
  2. Page 1
  3. 2
  4. All

First published in The Australian on August 28, 2007.



Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

18 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Nicola Roxon is the Shadow Minister for Health and Federal Labor Member for Gellibrand.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Nicola Roxon

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Photo of Nicola Roxon
Article Tools
Comment 18 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy